In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. Perhaps this because the last couple of decades have seen a major shift in the popularity of “living green.†Maybe it is because the cost of gas is just too high. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. Be sure you know how your brakes work and which type you will likely need. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you decide you want your bike for more off-roading adventures, you need a different kind of braking system that can keep up with that particular style. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail.
Take 9" away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are great post to read thin. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
How many gears do you need? Traveling through flat areas requires far less gears than riding in a mountainous area. A bike isn’t better just because it has more gears than another. You may never even get around to using all the available gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? Find out where you’ll ride your bike, especially if this is your main vehicle, and make sure you have enough gears to handle the areas through which you will travel. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a bike. The durability of a bike may be the most important thing depending on how you intend to use it. While other people just want a bike that is comfortable and will get them from one place to another without risk of breaking down. Some people have to think very seriously about the price they are paying for a bike. Research is important when purchasing anything, especially a bike. You will also want to shop around to find the best deal. Don’t just buy the first bicycle that looks good—you could get stuck with a lemon!